Where else would I start my first day in Paris? After taking the train from CDG into the city, I directed myself straight to the Arc de Triomphe. Of course, I lamented kicking things off with something so touristy, but after watching no less than eight Trafalgar tour buses pass by, I congratulated myself on being the wayward solo traveler that I was. After a few obligatory photo ops, I realized it was about 10 a.m. local time. Breakfast in Paris? Not yet. It was still about 3 in the morning Bart Standard Time, which meant it was still drinking time.

PARIS, FRANCE–I took the obligatory Louvre tour today to see the crème de la crème of Western Art. You can see most of the pieces online or in any number of art books (most of you have probably even seen these exhibits in person), so I thought I’d include some of the “lesser known attractions” at the Louvre. Naturally, it’s a photo essay.
The “Mona Lisa Juseyo” Exhibit
The “Write Your Own Caption” Exhibit
The “OMG THERE IT IS” Exhibit
The “Make Your Own Modern Art” Exhibit
The “Art De L’Islam” Exhibit
The “No, SERIOUSLY. Where’s …

PARIS, FRANCE–To sample the local brews tonight, we hit up a restaurant near our apartment that had a local beer or two on tap. Trying on what I remembered of high school French, I asked the waitress about her favorite local brews. I didn’t necessarily get anything that was specific to Paris, but I did get the leading beer brand in france: ‘Seize.’ Puis-je prende!
Seize Une.
And so it begins. Seize. I like it, it’s not too strong, not too light, not too much of anything really. Is this the French …

PARIS, FRANCE–When Parisians aren’t working (which they usually aren’t), they’re haunting the cafes around town, sucking down wine by the bottle, smoking cigarettes by the pack, and discussing philosphie by the volume. Did I mention there’s food too? Course after course of entrees, mains, fromage, desserts and after-dessert desserts.
Stuffing my face, part 60 of 500.
Stuffing my face, part 410 of 500. Nutella
And the best part is, you get to watch people walk by the whole time. Be sure to watch the runners, it’s a real hoot! People, you’ll notice, will …

PARIS, FRANCE–The Eiffel Tower was built to impress. From international tourists at the World’s Fair, to Hitler, and then back to millions of international tourists, this behemoth tribute to iron work has become the universal calling card for Paris. I’ve heard the “iron asparagus” was built for the 1889 World Fair (Exposition Universelle), and at a towering height of some 324,000 meters above the banks of the Seine it’s easy to see why it’s stuck around ever since. So Gustav, this post’s for you.
Walking east from our apartment a few …

PARIS, FRANCE–Sufficiently jet-lagged from a layover in Amsterdam (but well-fed thanks to KLM), my Paris trip began quite naturally with a car ride from de Gualle and a big half-hour nap. Then hit the streets to take some pictures in the 7eme arr (my new home) and along the Champs-Élysées.
But first the obligatory icon of Paris pictures:
Yeah, I’m in Paris, I saw it.
Please, like I didn’t see that too. This is Paris.
The day really began when I woke up from my half hour beauty sleep to make the tourist-inclined trek …